PE 147, Tai Chi Chuan
Spring 2010
January 18, 2010
Bryan Smith
1 Introduction
The primary purpose of this course is for you to learn the 24 Posture
(simplified) pattern of Tai Chi. This is the pattern almost all of the
people are doing when you see them in TV commercials or movies that
include scenes of the parks in China. I will not assume that you have
any previous experience with Tai Chi but, for those of you who do, note
that the majority of this pattern is based on the Yang style.
Please wear loose and comfortable clothes to class.
1.1 Styles
The history of Tai Chi is as complex as you would expect of something that
has developed over a thousand years. There are not only competing stories
about its genesis but there have also been numerous fragmentations as
students decide to change what they have learned from their masters. At
this time there are at least five major "styles" of Tai Chi: Chen, Yang,
Wuu, Sun, and Wu. Other important styles are Tsao Bao, Li, Heh, and Wudang.
Even though it is unclear how and when the martial precursor to Tai Chi
originated, it is agreed that the origins of Tai Chi lie in the fundamental
conceptualization of Yin and Yang made by the ancient Chinese and passed
along to us through Taoism. As for historical documentation, Chen Style Tai
Chi Chuan was the first to be recorded in formal documents in the mid
1600's. Fourteen generations later, Yang Lu Chan developed Yang Style Tai
Chi Chuan from Chen Style. The pattern we are learning is mostly Yang style
and was commissioned by the Chinese government in the 1950's. Although
based on the Yang style, it is called "Simplified Tai Chi". The postures
of this pattern are common to all the major styles but are presented in a
fashion that is designed to preserve and enhance health as opposed to
developing martial skill.
1.2 Lineage of Traditional Yang Family Style
- Yang Lu Chan founded the Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan
- Yang Jian Hou was Yang Lu Chan's son and the 2nd generation master
- Yang Chen Fu was Yang Lu Chan's grandson and the 3rd generation master
- Li Ya Xuan was the fourth generation master
- Lin Mo Gen is the fifth generation master
- Qin Li Li (Lily) studied under Lin Mo Gen
- I have been studying with Qin Li Li since 1998 and have studied
with Master Lin Mo Gen during visits to China.
1.3 Recommended Textbook
Tai Chi Chuan, 24 & 48 Postures with Martial Applications,
Liang and Wu, YMAA Publications, © 1996.
1.4 Basic Information
You can find information pertinent to all of my classes (office hours,
office location, etc.) at the link below and, once there, information
specific to this class by clicking on the PE 147 link.
http://math.ups.edu/~bryans/
| Professor Bryan Smith | Thompson Hall 390D | 879-3562 | bryans[at]ups.edu |
|
| Office Hours | | Tue, Thu | 9:30-10:00 AM | 1:30-2:00 PM | 3:00-3:30 PM |
| | | Wed | 3:00-4:30 PM | | |
| | | Others | By Appointment | | |
|
1.5 Grading
In order to pass the course you must, by the end of the semester, be
able to perform the entire 24 Posture pattern (which takes 5-10
minutes) from memory. This should occur for most of you about 2/3 of
the way through the semester and will be evident to me from my
observations during class. Anyone who misses more than three class
periods or who does not seem to know the entire pattern will need to
meet with me during Finals week to demonstrate their knowledge of the
pattern.
1.6 First Assignment
Please send an email to me at bryans(at)ups.edu with the following information.
- Have PE 147 or Tai Chi in the Subject: line and your name as the first line of the email.
- Please tell me why you are taking this class and what you hope to gain from it.
2 books
- Tai Chi Chuan, 24 & 48 Postures with Martial Applications,
Liang and Wu, YMAA Publications, © 1996.
One of the best books I've found for the 24 Posture pattern.
There is an associated DVD as well. The book is under $15.00 at
Amazon.
- T'ai Chi Classics, Waysun Liao, Shambhala Classics, © 1990
If you are interested in this sort of thing, Waysun
Liao has other books worth reading. This book is also under
$15.00.
- The Dao of Taijiquan, Way to Rejuvenation, Jou,
Tai Chi Foundation, © 1998.
This one is also under
$15.00 at Amazon.
- Tao Te Ching, various translations
This book is not about Tai Chi so much as it is the foundational book of
the philosophical underpinnings of Taoism from which Tai Chi developed.
File translated from
TEX
by
TTH,
version 3.72.
On 18 Jan 2010, 12:30.